How to Clean White Jeans

Co-authored by Rani Gorgis

Last Updated: November 4, 2022 References

As much class and style white jeans can add to your outfits, stains and blemishes on them will stand out. Wash out small and faint blemishes from your jeans with a spot treatment of salt, soap, and soda water, or completely clean the jeans in your washing machine. Remove coffee, ink, and grass stains with soapy water and wine stains with hydrogen peroxide. Maintain your jeans with fabric protectant and refresh them between cleanings with the steam from your shower.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Washing White Jeans

1
Spot clean your jeans. The sooner you can treat a blemish, the more likely it can be removed. Sprinkle a thin layer of salt on the dirtied area. Blot the area lightly with soda water, dish soap, and a clean, white cloth. If possible, rinse the fabric from the reverse side of the stain.^{[1]
X
Research source}
- Avoid using too much pressure or a scrubbing motion when spot cleaning. This can entrench the blemish deeper into the fabric.
- Spot cleaning will cut down on the wear and tear of machine washing and drying, preserving the condition of your jeans for longer.^{[2]
  X
  Research source}
2
Launder your jeans in a washing machine. Only wash your white jeans with other white clothing. If your jeans are lightly dirty, use a cold cycle. Jeans that need a more thorough cleaning will benefit from a warm cycle. Avoid fabric softener and bleach. Wash the jeans in a white brightening detergent.
- Bleach can cause some jeans to yellow. Additionally, this harsh cleaner may cause your jeans to deteriorate more quickly.
- To best protect against yellowing, after washing your jeans in detergent, run them through another rinse cycle.^{[3]
  X
  Research source}
Advertisement
3
Dry jeans on a low heat cycle or air dry them. High heat can also cause your white jeans to yellow.^{[4]
X
Research source} When machine drying white jeans, only use a low heat cycle. Air dry your jeans to avoid the damaging heat of a dryer. Hanging jeans in sunlight can also have a lightening effect on blemishes.^{[5]
X
Research source}

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Removing Stains

1
Use dish soap to remove coffee, ink, and grass stains. Add a few drops of dish soap to a small container of cool water. Dampen a clean, white cloth in the solution and blot coffee and grass stains from the outside moving inwards to its center. Turn the fabric inside out and rinse the stain with cool water.
- For severe stains, clean the stain as described using inexpensive vodka in place of dish soap and cool water.^{[6]
  X
  Research source}
2
Lift red wine stains with hydrogen peroxide. Dampen a clean, white cloth with hydrogen peroxide. Blot the stain with the cloth from the outside. Continue to blot inward toward the center of the stain. When you’ve lifted as much of the stain as you can, rinse the stain from its opposite side with cool water.^{[7]
X
Research source}
- Pour a layer of salt on fresh red wine stains. Wait a few minutes for the salt to absorb the wine. Scrape the salt away, and blot remaining wine with a clean, white cloth and hydrogen peroxide or soda water.^{[8]
  X
  Research source}
- To prevent the stain from spreading, when your white cloth absorbs the red stain, switch to a clean part of the cloth.
3
Clean sudden stains with an on-the-go cleaner. Many companies sell pens or wipes that contain cleaners specially formulated to erase stains. Buy products like these at your convenience stores, grocery stores, and general retailers. Follow the product’s instructions for best results.^{[9]
X
Research source}
- Keep these portable stain treatments in your purse, backpack, or desk. This way you’ll be prepared if your jeans get dirty.
4
Treat old stains with lemon and boiling water. You may be able to remove stains that have been on your white jeans for a long time. Add several lemon slices to a large pot of boiling water. Pour this mixture into a suitable container, like a tub. Submerge the stained jeans in the hot water, then wait for the mixture to cool. After that wash the jeans as you would normally.
- To prevent burns, use a tool, like a wooden kitchen spoon, to push the jeans beneath the hot water if necessary.^{[10]
  X
  Research source}

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Maintaining Your Jeans

1
Use a fabric protectant on your jeans when suitable. Fabric protectant, like Scotchguard or Stainshield, will make your jeans more resistant to stains. Purchase these kinds of products in the homecare or laundry section of your local general retailer or grocery store. Only use protectant on clean jeans.^{[11]
X
Research source}
- Some fabric may negatively react to protectant. This information should be clearly indicated in the label care instructions.
- Different brands of protectant may have different methods of application. Always follow the label instructions for best results.
2
Avoid color rubbed off from other clothing and accessories. New clothing, especially, is likely to transfer dye to your white jeans if it rubs against them. New purses and similar accessories, like satchels, can rub against your jeans and leave behind their color. Avoid wearing white jeans with items like these.
- Be on the lookout for colors that are especially dark, like indigo. These have a tendency to transfer easily.^{[12]
  X
  Research source}
3
Refresh jeans with shower steam. While showering, hang your jeans in the bathroom. The steam from the shower will refresh the fabric and may even remove light blemishes. Allow the jeans to air dry after the steam treatment.
- After your jeans have dried, the fabric should also regain some of its original tightness. This can improve the fit of your jeans, making them look even more flattering.^{[13]
  X
  Research source}
4
Wash your jeans only when necessary. Washing and drying your jeans takes its toll on their fabric. The more you clean the fabric, the more likely it will be to dull, rip, or tear.^{[14]
X
Research source} Spot clean your jeans as much as possible to remove blemishes. Try to only wash the jeans once every five weeks.
- Make sure to wash your jeans inside out so their color stays vibrant.
- Choose a specially formulated denim detergent to keep your jeans in the best condition for the longest time.